statement of community engagement -...
TRANSCRIPT
Statement of Community EngagementPrepared by Meeting Place Communications on behalf of Barratt David Wilson and Taylor Wimpey June 2018
West Hemel
Contents1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
About Taylor Wimpey ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
About Barratt Homes ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
About David Wilson Homes ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
About Meeting Place Communications .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Requirements of the consultation ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. We have responded to this by ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Involving local representatives ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Presentations to Dacorum Borough Council .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Meeting with Dacorum Environmental Forum ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5. Involving residents ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
6. Engaging online ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
7. Public exhibition ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
8. Summary of Feedback – February 2017 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
9. Responding to feedback ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
10. Public consultation June 2017 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16
11. Summary of Feedback – June 2017 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
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1. IntroductionThis Statement of Community Engagement (SCE) sets out the strategy undertaken for consulting the general public with regard to Barratt David Wilson and Taylor Wimpey’s outline planning application for up to 1,100 homes at West Hemel.
The West Hemel site (known as LA3) is one of the six local allocations made by Dacorum Borough Council in its current adopted Site Allocations DPD. In addition to 1,100 houses West Hemel will provide a 2 form entry primary school, a community hub with the opportunity for a convenience store, small shops, nursery, a community building and elderly care home. In addition there will also be green open spaces, play areas, community sports court, a trim trail, as well as pedestrian and cycle routes. The proposals also include a 7 pitch gypsy and traveller site at the southern end of the site.
This document aims to demonstrate that the applicant has actively informed and involved the local community about the plans, in accordance with Dacorum Borough Council’s Statement of Community Involvement.
Barratt David Wilson and Taylor Wimpey are committed to stakeholder engagement and wanted to ensure that the community were made aware of the proposed development and had a chance to input into its development.
This Statement of Community Engagement gives an overview of all consultation activity undertaken prior to the current planning application submission.
They were formed by the merger of George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow in 2007. We aim to be the developer of choice for customers, employees, communities and shareholders.
They build a wide range of properties, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to five bedroom detached houses, with a broad price range including both private and affordable homes. We are truly national and we cover most regions across the UK. Our regional businesses are run as local homebuilders and have in depth knowledge and experience of the local market. We understand that development is about more than creating homes and we provide millions of pounds worth of infrastructure, for example roads, sewers, landscaping and community facilities, every year across the UK. We aim to develop vibrant communities with a true sense of place that fit into their surrounding area and meet the needs of local people.
Barratt Homes been building homes for more than 50 years. In that time we have grown to become one of the nation’s largest housebuilders with more than 4,000 direct employees and 25 divisions throughout Britain.
Our vision is to be recognised as the nation’s leading housebuilder, creating communities where people aspire to live.
We build developments nationwide, from Aberdeen to Plymouth, helping to meet housing demand in towns, cities and rural areas. We provide high quality, value for money homes for all market sectors, plus homes for rent and shared ownership, and are leaders in brownfield development and urban regeneration.
David Wilson Homes started life as part of AH Wilson which grew through the 1970s to become Wilson Bowden in 1982, following its purchase by Barratts in 2007 David Wilson operates as part of the Barratts group.
David Wilson Homes has a long record of delivering quality family homes. David Wilson aims to provide the highest standard of design, construction and customer service in the business. This has resulted in David Wilson Homes winning a host of major industry awards in recent years.
Meeting Place Communications (MPC) was established in 2006 and we are now one of the leading public relations companies specialising in consultation around planning issues. We have worked with a wide range of house builders, retailers and commercial developers. Our experience is across England and Wales and we are experienced in reaching out and positively engaging with local residents when it comes to planning applications.
Community involvement is at the forefront of national planning policy and is noted in the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (adopted March 2012). The NPPF states that ‘early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with neighbourhoods, local organisations and businesses is essential’ in the creation of plans.
Planning Policy Statement 12 (Para 4.21) required local planning authorities to produce a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as part of their Local Development Frameworks. The principle objective of the SCI is to ensure that all sections of the community, including local groups and organisations, are given an opportunity to engage in the planning process.
Dacorum Borough Council adopted its current Statement of Community Involvement in July 2016. It applies to both the preparation of local planning policy documents and to planning applications. The SCI remains in force despite the publication of the NPPF in March 2012, although PPS12 has been formally cancelled from national planning policy.
Section 3 of the SCI contains information with regard to what is expected of applicants by way of consultation and community engagement for major planning applications. Although no precise methodology is prescribed, table 1 in section 3 mentions that developers should engage with the local community via methods such as holding public exhibitions, setting up websites and distributing newsletters.
2. Requirements of the consultation
“It is very important that the wider community - people who live, work, run businesses and study in the borough are consulted.
Dacorum’s SCI demonstrates how these requirements are taken into account to ensure that, as far as possible, all parts of the community have the opportunity to engage in the process of preparing planning documents and making decisions on planning applications.”
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3. We have responded to this by…
Involving local representativesSeeking to involve local groups and political representatives before and after our consultation events;
Involving residentsTwo newsletters advertising our consultation events were sent to 2,215 residents explaining the plans and how to find out more / comment on the proposals. This newsletters also invited residents to our exhibitions held at John F Kennedy Catholic School on 6th February and 27th June 2017.
Encouraging feedbackAt the two drop-in session we provided feedback forms to give residents an opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposals. A Freephone information line and email address which residents could use to make contact was also provided on all consultation materials. Comments could also be submitted via the consultation website or email;
Engaging onlineThe proposals were displayed on the West Hemel website – www.westhemel.co.uk – and was kept updated with information about the proposals. The website was additionally publicised though the newsletters. Visitors were encouraged to submit feedback online.
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4. Involving local representatives As part of the consultation, local political representatives and groups were sent both digital and paper copies of the consultation newsletter and invited to stakeholder events and to the public exhibitions. Several politicians and group representatives attended the exhibition and the stakeholder meetings and discussed the proposals in detail with the project team. Invitations were sent to local MPs and Dacorum Borough Council ward members.
Presentations to Dacorum Borough CouncilIn addition to the public exhibitions, as part of pre-application meetings members of the project team presented proposals to members of Dacorum Borough Council on 31st January 2017.
Points of discussion included:
• Delivery of the travellers site
• Impact on highways
• Discussion of the role of the community centre
• Delivery of the community centre
• Increase in housing numbers
• Increase of the build rate to reduce disruption to residents
• Housing density following the increase in numbers
• Provision of the primary school
• Provision and funding of a bus route
• Parking provision for the school and community centre
A further presentation was given to members of Dacorum Borough Council on 15th June 2017, outlining the updated scheme and the proposed first phase of development.
Points of discussion included:
• Increase in housing numbers
• Delivery of the gypsy and travellers site
• GP services and their location
• The additional land and technical aspects relating to the additional land
• Level of affordable housing
• Primary and secondary school places and capacity
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Meeting with Dacorum Environmental ForumIn addition to our consultation and meetings with local stakeholders, members of the project team also met with Dacorum Environmental Forum and local residents groups on 11th May 2017.
Points of discussion included:
• Boundary landscaping
• Archaeological surveys
• The water supply
• Highway improvements
• The increase in housing numbers
• The wildlife corridor
• The phasing of development, especially the school, local centre and travellers site
• Bus services
• Parking provision
• Emissions and solar panels
• Emergency access
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Two newsletters were sent out to 2,215 local residents and businesses close to the site. The A4 newsletters included details of the scheme, a location plan and key statistics. It invited residents to attend our drop-in session but also those who wanted to write in with more detailed feedback were invited to use our freepost address or comment on the website.
The freephone information line, email and website were all identified as part of the newsletter. Recipients were also invited to the public consultation events on 6th February and 27th June 2017.
5. Involving residentsNumber
of newsletter invites sent:
2,215
Distribution area map
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A website – www.westhemel.co.uk – was updated for the consultation. This website gives details of the proposals and allows visitors to download copies of consultation materials as well as to submit feedback electronically and via email. It hosts:
• Wider information about the allocation;
• Layout plans;
• An online comment form;
• Images of the site;
• Materials from the public exhibition;
• Updates and FAQs.
Average length of
stay on website
3m 7s
Number of pages viewed
on average
3.47
6. Engaging online
% of views from a mobile device
42%
Number of unique visitors to
the website from 1 January to 7th July
1,200
Online feedback
forms received
33
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7. Public Exhibition Residents and stakeholders were invited to attend two public exhibitions held at the John F Kennedy Catholic School on 6th February and 27th June 2017 between 4.00pm and 8pm to view the proposals and chat to the project team.
• The exhibition was held on a weekday and in the evening to accommodate those who may be busy at the weekend or who wanted to attend after work;
• Local residents were invited to the exhibition via a newsletter which was sent to 2,215 homes;
• Local political representatives were invited to the public drop-in session;
• Approximately 152 people attended the first exhibition and 108 people attended the second exhibition;
Number of feedback
forms completed
65
Total number of
visitors
260
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8. Summary of Feedback – February 2017
1,200 people visited the website from 1st
January to 7th July 2017
65feedback
forms completed
20 email
responsesreceived
Gypsy & travellers
issues
23%
Housing numbers
12%
Provision of local services
9%
Transport concerns
56%
18 online
feedback forms received
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Transport• Routes through to A41 and M1 reviewing
• Winkwell and Chaulden Lane (where canal bridge is) – cut through for local residents, need to be aware;
• Bus routes along The Avenue will be difficult as a narrow street;
• Need a roundabout access off Chaulden Lane – road is fast and unsafe and may help slow traffic down;
• Traffic calming along The Avenue - is it required?
• General concerns about traffic congestion;
• Safe cycle connections welcomed – make sure they are safe at night;
• How to stop emergency access being vandalised – clarify what is an emergency access;
Sample comments:“Why has no access to the A41 been planned?”
“A new road to the west is needed.”
“ The junction in Long Chaulden is going to create a dangerous situation with the oncoming traffic over the brow of the hill.”
“ Most people will use their cars, the network must be expanded to handle extra traffic.”
Design • Welcomed green spaces and green links through the
development
• Would like more detail before any final comments, feel that the designs are very woolly at this stage
• Some residents feel the design doesn’t conform to Dacorum Borough Councils Masterplan for the site with regards to the green corridors and wildlife habitats
• Mix of housing is important, downsizing, affordable and parking are issues raised
Sample comments:“ I would like to see the properties set out as cul de sacs rather than blocks or housing estates.”
“ I think it’s a great idea although I have concerns about how many homes will be built.”
“ I am interested in buying a home, but don’t want to feel like it’s an estate.”
“ I like the whole plan and the layout, I would like to see more areas for wildlife though.”
“ In the councils 2015 plan there were green corridors, potentially for wildlife linking with Shrubhill common, these are not included in the current proposals.”
“ I recall on the original Masterplan there was a restriction in place on the main road to stop driver’s short cutting through the estate to reach Long Chaulden or the Avenue.
Gypsy & travellers site• Concern the site is not inclusive
• Suggestions for alternative locations within the site
• Worries that during early development the site will be isolated from the community
• Disappointment members of the council were not present to discuss issue with site
• Large vehicle access to the site
Sample comments:“I am concerned about security due to the traveller’s site.”
“Why is no one fighting to get rid of the traveller’s site!”
“Why is the traveller’s site not part of the development?”
“ A big concern is the traveller site, you need to reconsider and put them somewhere else!”
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Community Facilities • Healthcare top of agenda, GP provision important
• Range of shops and a small supermarket welcomed
• Adequate parking needed
• A wide range of uses for community building should be considered
• Playground nearby is welcomed
• Secondary school and hospital provision need considering
Sample comments:“ I am concerned about the lack of infrastructure including health services.”
“We need a new hospital.”
“A new doctor’s surgery should form part of the community hub.”
Habitats• Many felt that there was a need to create the habitats for the
development immediately to give them to time bed into the landscape
Sample comments:“ The green areas will need to be established and maintained sooner!”
“The wildlife corridors are not wide enough!”
“ I like the plans but would like to see a little more areas for wildlife.”
“A lot of green space which is good.”
” The development looks well planned and thought out with a variety of green spaces and green corridors.”
Affordable Housing• Some residents commented on the provision of affordable
housing. Residents were keen on knowing the styles and location of the affordable housing
Sample comments:“ I hope the affordable housing is spread around the site and not just in the final stage of development near the gypsy site.”
“ It’s a decent mix of houses and green space but I hope the family homes at least have gardens.”
“ We need a range of homes including elderly care and low cost housing.”
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Construction traffic
Inclusiveness of gypsy & travellers
site
Habitat preservation
Impact on highways network
Access to gypsy &
travellers site
Safety of main
access
SUDS
Need / opening
timetable for primary
school
Site plan
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Traffic congestion especially in the local roadsThe biggest concern by far that residents had with the proposals for West Hemel has been the impact that it would have on local roads. Many felt the existing road network would be incapable of coping with the increase of vehicles.
Applicants response:Detailed traffic surveys have been conducted on local roads relating to their capacity to deal with additional traffic levels. A series of improvements will be made to local roads to improve traffic flow to ensure that local roads can adequately handle the increased number of vehicles. Improvements will be made to Long Chaulden, Warners End, Leighton Buzzard Road, Northridge Way and Fisheries Road to cope with the additional traffic levels. We have also submitted a further Transport Assessment to show how the increased traffic levels will be managed.
9. Responding to feedbackThe exhibitions produced a large level of feedback about the West Hemel proposals. Both exhibitions were well attended and the local community raised concerns that have subsequently been worked into the new proposals that will form part of the future development. Some of the concerns raised from the consultations included:
Description of work Result
1a. Additional right hand turn lane on Long Chaulden, pedestrian refuges and new bus stop Enabling access to site
1b. Enabling access to site Enabling access to site
2. No improvements required No Mitigation
3. Formalisation of roundabout, zebra crossing Better pedestrian movement
4/5.New lanes to allow separate right and left queues on roundabout approaches, formalised crossings for pedestrians
Increased capacity and better queuing
6. Additional lane segregation at roundabout Increased capacity
7. Formalisation of roundabout, increasing size of roundabout Increased capacity
8. Longer left and right turn queuing lanes, additional improvements, realignment Increased capacity and flow
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West Hemel would increase the strain on local services such as the GP surgery and local schools
Some residents have raised concerns about new residents at West Hemel increasing the strain on local services such as the NHS and local schools
Applicants response:The West Hemel development will fund additional capacity in the local doctors services which will either be provided as part of the community hub, or as a new addition to the existing doctors surgery. A new two form entry primary school will be built in West Hemel to serve the needs of West Hemel and also alleviate the pressure on existing local schools. In addition to this our proposals for West Hemel will see new investment in local secondary schools as well as services such as increasing the frequency of local buses, investing in additional library provision and working with utilities such as water and electricity.
The site is liable to flood
Some local residents have commented that the site has previously flooded, and were concerned about this occurring in the future
Applicants response:A thorough drainage and flooding assessment has been undertaken, which has created a robust Sustainable Drainage System designed to retain water on-site and percolate back into watercourses in a way which mimics the existing greenfield run off rates. The water will be stored in surface balancing ponds and oversized underground pipes, allowing significant capacity without exacerbating existing issues.
The gypsy & traveller site is not an inclusive part of the developmentFollowing the first exhibition some residents said that the new development would exclude the gypsy and travellers site, and that its location would mean that it would be cut off from the new facilities being provided by the development.
Applicants response:Following on from the concerns raised after the first exhibition we have altered the landscaping around the gypsy and traveller’s site to make it more open and allow easier access to the development. The site will have its own access from Chaulden Lane and will provide 7 semi-permanent pitches for the gypsy and travelling community. We will be working with officers to ensure that the site is integrated into the proposals development and that it is designed to be delivered early and meet the need for such sites across the borough. We will therefore review connections to the site during the early stages of construction.
The increase in the housing number Residents have been concerned about the rise in the number of homes from 900 to 1,100, with many viewing this number as being unsustainable on the site.
Applicants response:The number of new homes has been set baseed on detailed technical studies undertaken by the team which have clarified the amount of land that can be developed on the West Hemel site. The work has identified land which is suitable for homes which wasn’t in the original LA3 Masterplan calculation. This means that the density of the development will remain the same but carry a larger number of housing due to having a larger area of land to develop. The Planning Inspector has confirmed that the number suggested in the LA3 Masterplan is not a maximum level and that the figure of 900 was a conservative estimate regarding the total number of dwelling the site was capable of accommodating.
Wildlife habitats & greenspaceSome residents have been concerned about the loss of green space, and the impact that West Hemel would have on wildlife habitats.
Applicants response:West Hemel has been designed to retain existing trees and hedgerows as well as creating new wildlife areas such as meadows and woodland. These areas form corridors through the development and link into the wider countryside and Hemel Hempstead. West Hemel will also create play areas such as a children’s trim trail as well as opportunities for a community orchard.
These landscaping proposals have been worked up to a greater level of detail and sought to maximise the width of these corridors and ensure that native planting creates a rich and varied habitat.
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10. Public consultation June 2017
Newsletters sent
2,215
Total number of
visitors
108
Number of feedback
forms completed
28
Online feedback
forms received
15
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11. Summary of Feedback – June 2017
Housing number
14%
Flooding concerns
3%
Traffic concerns
45%
Traveller site concerns
19%
Impact on local services
11%
Support new
housing
5%
Sample comments:“ I have concerns about the safety of the flood defence pool”
“ I am still concerned about the extra traffic along Long Chauldon.”
“ The access to and from the travellers site is inappropriate.”
“ The housing number has increased considerably.”
“ The affordable housing scheme is a good idea.”
“ Local Roads are already too small and congested.”
“ A roundabout at Long Chaulden would work much better than a filter lane.”
“ We need adequate hospital facilities for all the extra people.”
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G:\JOBS\OXPL 360034 - Field End Farm, Hemel Hempstead\B) Drawings\INDD\Illustrative Masterplan_2000@A1 17/05/17Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Offi ce Crown copyright licence number 100024244 Savills (UK) Ltd. Savills does not act as Principal Designer and this drawing is not intended to inform Construction Design Management procedures. Published for the purposes of identifi cation only and although believed to be correct accuracy is not guaranteed.
title
client
project
job no
drawing no
revision
Illustrative Masterplan
Field End Farm, Hemel Hempstead
Taylor Wimpey & Barratt Homes
OXPL 360034
IM001
B (15 May 2017)
savills.com/urbandesign
u r b a n d e s i g n s t u d i o
Primary School and Playing Field (including nursery)
Private Nursery
Mixed Use (including 450 sq.m. convenience store & 3no. 100 sq.m. retail units, with apartments above)
Mixed Use (including 175 sq.m. Community Hall & 1no. 100 sq.m. retail unit or GP facility, with apartments above)
Care Home (70 bed)
Shared square
Reserved Land for 2 Form Entry Extension or Residential Infi ll
Proposed travellers site
Potential Future Residential Development on HCC Land
Movement
Indicative Pedestrian and/orCycle Leisure Route
Play and Sport
Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP)
Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP)
Informal play (logs, boulders, bunds etc)
Fitness trail station
Possible Community Garden
Hard-surfaced Community Games Area
Drainage
Indicative SUDS Attenuation Feature
SUDS attenuation basin designed as a permanently wet pond
Gas pipeline location
Vegetation
Existing trees and hedgerows to be retained
Community Orchard
Wildlife Conservation & Habitat Creation
Reptile receptor area
Compensatory woodland
Scale 1:2000 @A1N
*Drawing to be used for illustrative purposes only. Subject to further detailed and technical studies.
Illustrative Masterplan
SM
PF/RB
12 May 2017date
drawn by
checked by
SouthamptonBirminghamCambridge
LondonOxford
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Gas main
Lindlings
Emergency exit
Pou
chen
En
d L
ane
Chaulden Lane
The Aven
ue
Lon
g C
hau
lden
Site Boundary
HCC Site
Extension of rights of way
network
Inclusion of gypsy & traveller
site by soft landscaping
Widened wildlife
corridors
Retain important
hedgerows & trees
Improvements to road
network
June consultation summaryFollowing on from our second consultation in June, residents still had concerns regarding the impact of West Hemel on the highway network, the increased housing number, the inclusion of the traveller site, and the impact on local services such as the NHS and local schools.
Barratt David Wilson and Taylor Wimpey are committed to continue to engage with the local community and statutory consultees as the application progresses to address these concerns.
The revised proposals will
• extend the existing rights of way network
• keep existing landscape feature whilst providing widened green corridors
• enhance the existing transport network through a series of improvements
• provide new local amenities such as schools, and expand local NHS provision
• provide a gypsy and traveller site included in West Hemel by sensitive landscaping
Site plan
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Appendix A: February Event Newsletter
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Appendix B: Feedback postcard sent with newsletter
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Appendix C: Feedback Form available at event
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Appendix D: Materials at February Exhibition
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Appendix E: February Event Newsletter
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Appendix F: Materials from June event
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Appendix G: June Event Newsletter
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